Current for the 2026-2027 EA examPSI scheduling update
EA Exam Part 3 / Specific Areas of Representation

Audit Reconsideration and Account Adjustments

Learn the decision pattern the exam can test, then apply it to a realistic taxpayer fact pattern.

By Jordan AshbyUpdated August 13, 2026Official IRS source below
Part 3Representation, Practices and Procedures
20 of 85questions in this domain
One decisionto practice before moving on

What changes the answer?

Reconsideration is not a substitute for every missed appeal and generally does not erase collection deadlines while pending.

A tax-practice scenario

A taxpayer missed an audit meeting, later finds records, and sees an unrelated payment misapplied. Route the two account problems separately.

How to approach it

Identify the taxpayer, entity, transaction, and tax period first. Write the controlling tests in order, apply only the relevant facts, and keep the reporting result separate from any planning recommendation.

Do not take this shortcut.

Using an amended return as the answer to every assessed examination change.

Turn the rule into recall.

Define the desired account change, assessment source, payment status, prior opportunity, evidence, and correct procedural channel.

  1. ExplainState the governing distinction without notes.
  2. ApplyChange one fact in the scenario and predict the new result.
  3. RetrieveAnswer an unseen question, then review every option.

Official source and scope

This lesson follows the current PSI content outline and uses the IRS reference below for the underlying tax or practice framework. Always confirm current forms, instructions, thresholds, and effective dates before advising a taxpayer.